Fines, imprisonment for parents failing to enrol children in school
Parents who fail to register their children in school will now face penalties under the new School Education Law. They may be subjected to fines of up to RO1,000 or imprisonment for a period of up to three months.
The law, issued by Royal Decree No 31/2023 last week, includes 97 articles divided into ten chapters covering various topics related to education.
According to the law, education is mandatory for all children starting at the age of six, and Arabic is the official medium of instruction in all schools.
The law strictly prohibits members of teaching staff from using corporal punishment on students for disciplinary violations.
In cases where circumstances demand it, the Ministry of Education may allow home study or distance learning for students who cannot attend regular classes.
Any student who disrupts public order in a school or hinders its educational activities may face imprisonment of up to one month and/or a fine ranging from RO100 to RO500.
Parents who fail to present valid reasons for not registering their children within 14 days of the last date of registration may face imprisonment for a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months and/or a fine of no less than RO500 and not exceeding RO1,000.
The law emphasises the obligation of educational staff to promptly report any crime committed on school premises to the school principal or their representative. The incident should be reported in writing to the nearest police station within 24 hours of coming to notice. Violators of this article may face imprisonment for a period of no less than 24 hours and not exceeding ten days and/or a fine ranging between RO200 and RO1,000.
Additionally, the Minister of Education will issue executive regulations and necessary decisions to implement the provisions of the School Education Law, as mandated by the decree.
The School Education Law aims to ensure proper registration and attendance of students, maintain discipline in schools and facilitate an environment conducive to learning. By imposing fines and penalties, it seeks to encourage compliance with educational regulations and strengthen the education system in the country.